The leaves are turning, the air is fresh and crisp, and we couldn’t be more excited to savor and sip all along the Wasatch this month. Here’s a highlight of what’s happening in October.
Oct. 1–31: Park City Dine About, Park City
Park City’s shoulder season dining deals are back for fall, with dozens of restaurants offering special prix fixe menus all month. Try two-course lunches (from $15-25) and three-course dinners (from $30-$65). And several spots are offering cocktail and snack pairings for $20; dare we say the perfect way to après all your outdoor adventures. See the full lineup on the Park City Restaurant Association’s website.
Oct. 2–3: Park City Wine Festival Grand Tasting, Park City
This year’s Park City Wine Festival is expected to host 225 wines representing 58 wine regions, and 45 spirits from all over the world. The grand tasting walkabout-style event has live music, bites from Park City restaurants, and of course, stunning mountain views from the Canyons Village Plaza. We’ve also got our eyes on the Best of the Fest ticket for Friday night at Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Lodge, with reserve and highly-rated bottles and a visit with Olympic Gold Medalist/mixologist Brian Boitano. See the full line-up of culinary experiences, tasting events and more at parkcitywinefest.com.
Oct. 10: Thieves Guild Apples & Daggers Festival, SLC
The festive folks at Thieves Guild are planning a day to remember to celebrate two trips around the sun. From noon to 8 p.m. the Apples & Daggers Festival will transform the guild’s grounds into a Fantasy Ren Faire with live armored combat demos, live blacksmithing, a fantasy vendor market, live music and performers, and of course, plenty of ciders, meads, ales and house-made sodas. Access for this 21+-only event starts at $30 for general admission. Details and tickets here.
Oct. 10: 10th Annual Park City Shot Ski, Park City
Help Park City reclaim the record for World’s Longest Shot Ski! Last winter, Breckenridge, Colorado broke Park City’s previous record of 1,410 adults joined together by 528 skis by upping the ante with a 1,420-person shot ski. In addition to adding even more skis (and a goal of 1,430 shots) to Park City’s lineup, this year’s fundraising goal is $86,000 to benefit local organizations. Tip back a toast, and celebrate 10 years of the Park City Sunrise Rotary Club and High West Distillery’s annual communal shot ski takeover of Main Street. General admission tickets (21+ only) are $30 and include a commemorative shot glass filled with High West Double Rye Whiskey. Event details and tickets at parkcityshotski.com.
Oct. 15–16: Wine Takes Flight and Octobirdfest at the Tracy Aviary, SLC
Of course Tracy Aviary is partial to wines with birds on the label, and both Duckhorn and Decoy wines are at the top of that list. On Oct. 15, join sommelier Jim Santangelo of the Wine Academy of Utah for selected tastings from this Alexander Valley favorite (tickets for the event are $55 and available here). On Oct. 16, brews, music and bites from local food trucks — and plenty of lederhosen-clad revelers — will be at the aviary for this year’s Oktobirdfest. It’s a great opportunity to take an evening stroll through the aviary while enjoying a local brew sipped from a special Oktobirdfest commemorative mug. Ages 21+ only, $45 per person; tickets and details here.
Oct. 23: 11 Hauz pop-up at Eggs in the City, SLC
Park City’s go-to for authentic Jamaican food is coming to SLC for this can’t miss buffet pop-up at Millcreek’s Eggs in the City. Count on DJ Spindoc performing live, the gracious hospitality 11 Hauz is known for, and select favorites from the popular menu. ($45 early bird tickets, $55 day of the event.)
Oct. 29: Murderous Cocktail Affair at Bambara’s The Vault, SLC
From The Vault’s team, this looks like a helluva lot of fun for those looking to start their Halloween festivities before the 31st: “On Thursday, October 29, The Vault is kicking off Halloween Weekend with a Murderous Cocktail Affair—an elevated, mystery-filled evening bringing a touch of dark glamour and high-end hospitality to SLC’s nightlife scene ahead of Halloween weekend. Guests are invited to step inside in their finest (and deadliest) cocktail attire for a night designed around intrigue, luxury, and live entertainment.” The event starts with a champagne greeting at 7 p.m. and will wrap up at 11. This is a 21+ only event, tickets here ($55 per person).
ICYMI
Utah’s stone fruit crops had a rough year, but there’s still a bounty of other fall-harvest produce to be found around the state. To find locally grown apples near you, see this directory from Utah’s Own.
Fall Festivals and Farmer’s Markets are happening all around the state:
- Brighton Not Oktoberfest, weekends and Labor Day through Oct. 11.
- Snowbasin SnowWiesn Oktoberfest, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 18.
- Snowbird Oktoberfest, weekends and Labor Day through Oct. 11.
- Sundance Resort’s Oktoberfest final weekend is Oct. 2–4.
- Salt Lake City Downtown Farmer’s Market, Saturdays (8 a.m.–2 p.m.) in Pioneer Park through Oct. 24.
- Murray Park Farmer’s Market, Fridays and Saturdays (8 a.m.–1 p.m.) in SLC’s Murray Park through Oct. 31.
- Cross E Ranch Fall Festival, Fridays and Saturdays (hours vary) at 3500 N. 2200 West through Oct. 31. Don’t miss the opportunity to grab a dozen cider donuts while you’re here.
- Wheeler Farm, Farmer’s Market in Cottonwood Heights on Sundays (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) through Oct. 12; Pumpkin Days (7 days a week, hours vary) through Oct. 31.
- Rowley’s Red Barn Fall Festival in Santaquin (Monday–Saturday, hours vary) through Oct. 30.
- Heber Valley Fall Festival at Kohler Creamery in Midway (Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) through Oct. 31.
